If Oregon compiled its very own dictionary, under the word “dedication” there would no words. Instead, there would be a picture — a picture of the Oregon women’s water polo team hard at work on a Friday night.
The women’s water polo team practices at Leighton Pool in the Student Recreation Center every Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The players make the choice to be at the pool, and an average of 18 young women show up to play. They have no regrets about giving up their Friday nights for water polo practice.
“Water polo is one of the best investments I’ve made at the University,” Claire Hugo said.
Hugo and Co-Coordinator Paitra Sharp cite a unified team and great friends for making Friday practices bearable.
“We have a really close-knit group of girls,” Sharp said.
After practicing three days a week for the entire term, Oregon traveled to UC Davis to play three California teams on Saturday and Sunday. UC Davis, Fresno State and Chico State handed the Ducks their first losses of the new year.
Oregon opened up against the home team, UC Davis, and suffered its worst loss of the weekend, 16-2. Oregon then lost to Fresno State, 9-2, and on Sunday the Ducks fell to Chico State, 7-4.
Although Oregon was outscored 32-8 during the weekend, head coach Matt Baumann said the emphasis of the tournament was on improving over the course of the weekend.
“Overall, we played really well,” Baumann said. “It was their first time playing together and they got better and better with every game, especially against California teams that are usually a lot better than what we see in the Northwest.”
Oregon hopes to rebound from its three losses when it hosts the regional tournament March 6 and 7. Oregon, Oregon State, Simon Fraser University, Washington, Western Oregon and Western Washington will all compete at Willamalane Park and Recreation facility in Springfield for a chance to attend the regional finals.
With only 11 returning players on the 26-woman team, Sharp said that she believes the key to success this year will be learning how to play as a cohesive unit.
“It’s more a matter of playing together more often and figuring out team dynamics,” Sharp said.
According to Baumann, Oregon has more than just dedication — it has all the ingredients needed to compile a winning record. With speed, a strong defense and offense and a deep bench, Baumann said he “has a really great group of girls who work very hard.”

California dreamin’
Come March, Oregon’s Club racquetball team will be heading south to compete in the 32nd USA Racquetball National Intercollegiate Championships in Fountain Valley, Calif. For four days, the Ducks will compete in singles and doubles at the Los Caballeros Racquet and Sports Club.
In preparation for their Spring Break tournament, the Ducks competed in the Griffith Memorial Tournament, held Jan. 22 through Jan. 25 in Eugene at Courtsports.
Sixty-five players participated in the event, with several Ducks winning their divisions. Ted Haley placed first in the men’s singles B division and he, along with partner Lindsey Baptiste, took home first place in the mixed doubles B division. Dar Afshar and Dan Goettsch also finished in the top five in their brackets.
“We had a really good showing as far as sportsmanship and playing well,” said Coordinator Alexis Karlson-Martini. “We had a good all-around tourney.”
Karlson-Martini said that the racquetball club is still looking for people to join and that it welcomes players at all levels. The team practices Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Eugene Family YMCA. More information about the Club can be found in the Club Sports Office, located on the ground floor of the EMU.